Every few months, a new viral TikTok trend takes over our feeds. Latte makeup, strawberry makeup, blueberry milk nails. Well, we are sorry to disappoint if you’re hungry, but the newest viral trend (finally) has nothing to do with food.

Aliénor (@Alieenor), the French makeup artist who coined the newest fad says it isn’t even really a trend at all. It’s called Contrast Makeup; according to its creator, it’s more of a concept or theory. 

So What Exactly Is Contrast Makeup?

Just like in an image, a video, or anywhere else where you interact with colour and shadows, Contrast Makeup has to do with the range or level of juxtaposition between highlights and shadows, or dark and light elements. 

“It’s the difference in value between your face, eyes, eyebrows, and hair,” Aliénor says in a video. Then you take those values to create a makeup look that suits you based on whether you are low, medium or high contrast. Aliénor even created a black-and-white TikTok filter to help people determine their contrast levels.

Most importantly, Aliénor says in her videos that skin tone can be any contrast level. For example in this video, Aliénor explains that celebs like Zoe Kravitz and Laura Harrier are high contrast, while Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is medium contrast, and Beyonce is low contrast. 

Read on to learn more and some beauty products we’re recommending for each contrast level. 

Low Contrast

Low contrast means that the difference in value is very low between the hair, the eyes, the eyebrows, and the skin. To complement low contrast values, Aliénor suggests trying out a ‘no-makeup makeup look’ and staying within the same general colour palettes and tone for a monochromatic and soft look.

Low Contrast Celebrities: Lily Rose-Depp & Margot Robbie

Products for Low Contrast

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation, Ilia, $65

Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick (Scintillement), CHANEL, $64

Medium Contrast

Sitting right in the middle of the other two levels, medium contrast means you have a slight difference between the value of your face, eyes, eyebrows, and hair. The best makeup look, according to Aliénor for medium contrast beauties is a flushed blush and lip combination.

Medium Contrast Celebrities: Zendaya & Cailee Spaeny

Products for Medium Contrast

Flush Balm Cream Blush (Fox), Merit, $41

Signature Lip Lightweight Matte Lipstick (Court), Merit, $36

High Contrast

If you have high contrast, it means you have a very high difference in value between the features of your face. Aliénor’s suggestion for those with high contrast is a smoky eye or a bold, darker lip to bring your dark features for a dramatic look.

High Contrast Celebrities: Emily Ratajkowski & Demi Moore

Products For High Contrast

Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette (Moonlight), Makeup by Mario, $92

Lip Suede Lipstick (Ma Biche), Westman Atelier, $68